By Laura N. Sweet
Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
“All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it.” (v. 8)
The Oxford English Dictionary defines weariness as “extreme tiredness; fatigue; reluctance to see or experience anymore of something.” The Cambridge Dictionary gives us some additional characteristics: “bored because you’ve experienced too much, unhappy, uninterested, tedium, dreariness.” Taken together, these definitions certainly describe “the Preacher” of Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes opens with the Preacher’s great exclamation of frustration and weariness. “Vanity of vanities,” he proclaims; “all is vanity” (v. 2). He laments that nothing changes on the earth; the sun rises and sets, the wind blows in its circuits, the rivers and streams return to the sea. Nothing brings satisfaction to a man, and nothing new is done “under the sun” (v. 9).
Living life has become a weariness to the Preacher; generations come and go, and no one remembers the former things. Fatigue, boredom, disinterest, tedium, dreariness — we see all the characteristics of weariness in the Preacher’s introductory words. He is a man weighed down by the weariness of his soul.
This overwhelming sense of pointlessness has robbed the Preacher of his perspective on his life and his work. He is not seeing the bigger picture at this point in the story. Weariness can do the same to us; bogged down by frustration and disillusionment, we can feel as if our efforts for God’s kingdom are futile. Sometimes we need a fresh perspective to refresh our spirits and our attitudes!
As you pray, ask God for eyes to see from the right perspective.
—————
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian school teacher from Midland. She writes devotional material for both adults and children.
Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
“All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it.” (v. 8)
The Oxford English Dictionary defines weariness as “extreme tiredness; fatigue; reluctance to see or experience anymore of something.” The Cambridge Dictionary gives us some additional characteristics: “bored because you’ve experienced too much, unhappy, uninterested, tedium, dreariness.” Taken together, these definitions certainly describe “the Preacher” of Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes opens with the Preacher’s great exclamation of frustration and weariness. “Vanity of vanities,” he proclaims; “all is vanity” (v. 2). He laments that nothing changes on the earth; the sun rises and sets, the wind blows in its circuits, the rivers and streams return to the sea. Nothing brings satisfaction to a man, and nothing new is done “under the sun” (v. 9).
Living life has become a weariness to the Preacher; generations come and go, and no one remembers the former things. Fatigue, boredom, disinterest, tedium, dreariness — we see all the characteristics of weariness in the Preacher’s introductory words. He is a man weighed down by the weariness of his soul.
This overwhelming sense of pointlessness has robbed the Preacher of his perspective on his life and his work. He is not seeing the bigger picture at this point in the story. Weariness can do the same to us; bogged down by frustration and disillusionment, we can feel as if our efforts for God’s kingdom are futile. Sometimes we need a fresh perspective to refresh our spirits and our attitudes!
As you pray, ask God for eyes to see from the right perspective.
—————
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian school teacher from Midland. She writes devotional material for both adults and children.
